Jesus and Mary: New Testament Parallels

Oct 7, 2024

Notes on Jesus as the New Adam and Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant

Introduction

  • Jesus as the New Adam marries the New Eve (Mary).
  • Discussion of the Ark of the Covenant in relation to Jesus and Mary.

Jesus as New Manna

  • New Testament depicts Jesus as the new manna from heaven (John 6).
  • Jesus describes himself as the bread from heaven.
  • Question arises: If Jesus is the new manna, where is the new Ark?

Old Testament: The Ark of the Covenant

  • The Ark of the Covenant is a significant object in the Old Testament.
  • Depicted as the dwelling place of God on earth.
  • In Exodus, the Ark moves with the Israelites through the desert (Exodus 25-40).

Key Elements of the Ark

  1. Dwelling Place of God: God resides in the Ark with His people.
  2. Sacred Container: Made of acacia wood, covered in gold; holds three important items:
    • Manna from heaven
    • Tablets of the Ten Commandments
    • Staff of Aaron
  3. Holy and Incorruptible: Constructed from durable acacia wood, signifying its sacred nature.
  4. Gold Covering: Symbolizes divinity, purity, and holiness; reflects God's presence.
  5. Cloth Covering: The Ark is covered with a blue cloth (Numbers 4:7).
  6. Shekinah Glory: God's glory fills the Ark, emphasizing its holiness (Exodus 40:17-18).

Historical Context

  • Ark lost during the Babylonian conquest (6th century BC).
  • Josephus notes that by the time of Jesus, the Ark was not in the Holy of Holies.
  • Speculations about the Ark's fate abound, including theories it is hidden in Ethiopia.

Second Maccabees Account

  • Jeremiah hid the Ark before the Babylonian destruction (2 Maccabees 2).
  • Location of the Ark remains unknown until God's glory returns.

New Testament: Mary as the New Ark

  • Mary depicted as the new Ark of the Covenant in Luke 1:35 (Annunciation).
  • The Holy Spirit overshadows her, paralleling the glory cloud overshadowing the Ark.

Parallels between Mary and the Ark

  1. Visitation to Elizabeth: Similar events occur that mirror the Old Testament (2 Samuel 6).
    • David asks how the Ark can come to him; Elizabeth asks how Mary can come to her.
    • Both figures interact with joy and blessing.
  2. Duration: The Ark stays with Obed-edom for three months, paralleled by Mary's visit to Elizabeth.
  3. Revelation Connection: Revelation 11:19 depicts the Ark in heaven, coinciding with the imagery of Mary.

Implications of Mary as the New Ark

  1. Holiness: Mary's body is consecrated, making her holy as the dwelling place of God.
  2. Contents of Mary: Contains Jesus – the Word made flesh, the bread of life, the eternal priest.
  3. Bodily Assumption: Mary's body being taken into heaven aligns with the Ark's incorruptibility.
    • Pope Benedict XVI remarked on the fittingness of Mary's assumption due to her being the new Ark.

Conclusion

  • Understanding Mary as the new Ark of the Covenant enhances comprehension of her role in salvation history, her holiness, and the significance of her body being assumed into heaven.